Apparatus and method for lifting a mattress

ABSTRACT

A mattress lift apparatus is provided for insertion between a mattress and an underlying support structure, such as a box spring. The mattress lift apparatus elevates a portion of the mattress so that bed linens may be tucked between the mattress and the underlying support structure. A continuous loop is formed by a base member, an incline member, a transition member and a handle member, wherein the continuous loop provides structural integrity to the mattress lift apparatus. An aperture is formed within the continuous loop, including along an inside portion of the handle member to enable the handle member to be gripped. In one embodiment, the handle member includes a substantially semi-circular shape. In another embodiment, at least one support rib is positioned in the aperture to mechanically couple the base member and at least one of the inclined member and the transition member.

This application claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 8,191,191, issued Jun.5, 2012, which claims priority to International Patent Application No.PCT/US2009/060669 filed Oct. 14, 2009, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/136,902 filed Oct. 14, 2008. Thecontents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for lifting a mattress.More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method forelevating a portion of a mattress from an underlying support structure,so that bed linens may be tucked between the mattress and underlyingsupport structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beds are important furniture items used for sleeping. Beds include amattress and an underlying support structure, such as a box spring orother support structure. Unlike other furniture items, beds requiredaily maintenance that includes dressing the mattress with bed linens,blankets, bedspreads and/or comforters.

Mattresses are bulky and heavy to lift. Handling these mattresses maystrain a bed maker's body, resulting in back and neck fatigue, pain,injury, lost productivity and medical claims. This is especially true inthe hospitality industry, hospitals or other industries wherehousekeepers routinely make or change tens or hundreds of beds in asingle day.

When changing a bed, consumers typically lift and hold the mattress toapply a fitted linen over the four corners of the bed. When making orcontinuing to change the bed, a flat linen may be draped over themattress and the flat linen is tucked in between the mattress and theunderlying support structure. In order to tuck in the flat linen, a bedmaker typically lifts the mattress away from the underlying supportstructure, holds the mattress in the elevated position, twists theirbody linen and tucks the linen between the mattress and the underlyingsupport structure. This process requires strength. Repeating thisprocess multiple mattresses in a single day requires strength andendurance. Without warning, lifting and/or holding mattresses in anelevated position may physically injure even the most careful bedmakers.

The bed making process may be further complicated by physicallimitations in the areas that are available for making the beds. Forexample, some mattresses may be located in restricted areas that limitphysical access to the mattresses and prevent the use of safe liftingtechniques. Other barriers to bed making may exist, such as theexistence of structural impediments, including night stands, otherfurniture, foot boards, head boards, bed rails, slats, bed skirts orother structural impediments. While devices are available to assist bedmakers in raising the mattresses while making beds, some of thesedevices are difficult to use, others are complex or still others arecostly. The invention overcomes these and other drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the invention overcome at least some of these andother drawbacks of existing devices. The invention provides an improvedmattress lift apparatus that is light weight, durable, has no movingparts and is easy to use, transport and store.

A mattress lift apparatus is provided for separating a mattress and anunderlying support structure. The mattress lift apparatus includes abody having a lift portion that extends longitudinally from a distal endto proximal end. The distal end has a first predefined height that isdimensioned to be inserted between the mattress and the underlyingsupport structure. The proximal end has a second predefined height thatis dimensioned to a desired elevation of the mattress. The body includesa body interior region defined within the lift portion. A handle isprovided having a first handle end and a second handle end locatedopposite the first handle end. The first handle end and the secondhandle end are fixedly coupled to the body. An aperture is formed withinthe body so that the interior region of the body defines a perimeteraround the aperture. The perimeter of the aperture and the handle definea continuous loop that provides structural strength to the mattress liftapparatus.

According to one embodiment, a mattress lift apparatus is provided forseparating a mattress and an underlying support structure, whichincludes a base member, an incline member, a transition member and ahandle. The base member includes a first base end and a second base end,the first base end being located opposite to the second base end. Theincline member includes a first incline end and a second incline end,the first incline end being located opposite to the second incline end,the first incline end being mechanically coupled to and forming an acuteangle with the first base end. The transition member includes a firsttransition end and a second transition end, the first transition endbeing located opposite to the second transition end, the firsttransition end being mechanically coupled to the second incline end.

The handle includes a first handle end and a second handle end, thefirst handle end being located opposite the second handle end, the firsthandle end being fixedly coupled to the second transition end and thesecond handle end being fixedly coupled to the second base end. The basemember, the incline member, the transition member and the handle definea continuous loop that provides structural strength to the mattress liftapparatus. An aperture is formed within the continuous loop and at leastone support rib is provided within the aperture to mechanically couplethe base member and at least one of the inclined member and thetransition member.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided for separating amattress and an underlying support structure. The method includesaligning a mattress lift apparatus between the mattress and theunderlying support structure. The mattress lift apparatus includes abody having a lift portion that extends longitudinally from a distal endto proximal end. The distal end has a first predefined height that isdimensioned to be inserted between the mattress and the underlyingsupport structure. The proximal end has a second predefined height thatis dimensioned to a desired elevation of the mattress. The body includesa body interior region defined within the lift portion. A handle isprovided having a first handle end and a second handle end locatedopposite the first handle end. The first handle end and the secondhandle end are fixedly coupled to the body. An aperture is formed withinthe body so that the interior region of the body defines a perimeteraround the aperture. The perimeter of the aperture and the handle definea continuous loop that provides structural strength to the mattress liftapparatus. A force is applied to the handle to insert the body of themattress lift apparatus between the mattress and underlying supportstructure.

The invention provides numerous advantages over and avoids manydrawbacks of prior devices. These and other features and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent through the detailed description of theembodiments and the drawings attached hereto. It is also to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are exemplary and not restrictive of the scope ofthe invention. Numerous other features and advantages of the inventionshould become apparent upon a reading of the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, abrief description of which is included below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the mattress lift apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the mattress lift apparatus accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the mattress lift apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the mattress lift apparatus accordingto a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the mattress lift apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the mattress lift apparatus accordingto a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective side view of a mattress raised from abox spring with the aid of the mattress lift apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordancewith the invention, it is noted that like reference designators refer tolike elements. FIG. 1 illustrates a mattress lift apparatus 100according to one embodiment of the invention. The mattress liftapparatus 100 may be fabricated as a single piece. Alternatively, themattress lift apparatus 100 may be fabricated from two pieces that aremechanically coupled. Alternatively, the mattress lift apparatus 100 maybe fabricated from a plurality of pieces that are mechanically coupled.The pieces or members may be mechanically coupled using adhesive,welding, or other fastening technique.

For ease of discussion, the mattress lift apparatus 100 is described toinclude a body member 105 and a handle member 150. The body member 105may be formed as a wedge shaped object. The body member 105 is furtherdefined to include a base member 106, an incline member 108, a nosemember 110 and a transition member 112. One of ordinary skill in the artwill readily appreciate that the base member 106, the incline member108, the nose member 110, the transition member 112 and the handlemember 150 may be formed together in a single mold. Alternatively, oneor more of these components may be formed separately. One-piececonstruction provides several benefits over multi-piece construction,including increased strength, reduced assembly cost, and fewer assemblyparts, among providing other benefits.

The base member 106 may be formed from a substantially flat structurethat is capable of supporting the body member 105 in an upright positionas illustrated in FIG. 1. According to one embodiment, the base member106 may include a wide portion 114 located proximate to the nose member110. For example, the wide portion 114 may have a width of at least 1inch. Other width dimensions that support an upright position arecontemplated. The width of the base member 106 may taper and along thelength direction to form a narrow portion 116 located adjacent to thebottom portion 118 of the handle member 150. For example, the basemember 106 may have a larger width proximate to the nose member 110 anda narrow width proximate to the handle member 150. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate that the base member 106 may beformed from any of a plurality of shapes that are capable of supportingthe body member 105 in the upright position.

The incline member 108 may be formed from a substantially flat structurethat is capable of supporting a mattress or other structure in anelevated position, as illustrated in FIG. 7. According to oneembodiment, the incline member 108 may include a wide portion 120located proximate to the nose member 110. For example, the wide portion120 may have a width of at least 1 inch. Other width dimensions thatsupport a mattress are contemplated. The width of the incline member 106may taper along the length direction to form a narrow portion 122located adjacent to the transition member 112. For example, the inclinemember 108 may have a larger width proximate to the nose member 110 anda narrow width proximate to the transition member 112. One of ordinaryskill in the art will readily appreciate that the incline member 108 maybe formed from any of a plurality of shapes that are capable ofsupporting the mattress in an elevated position.

The transition member 112 may be formed in a curved shape that iscapable of supporting the mattress while abutting a side of the mattressto stop further penetration of the mattress lift apparatus 100.According to one embodiment, the transition member 112 may include asupport surface 124 that supports the mattress when the mattress liftapparatus 100 is substantially fully inserted between the mattress andthe underlying support structure. The support surface 124 may beconfigured to be substantially parallel to the base member 106.Alternatively, the support surface 124 may be configured to benon-parallel to the base member 106. For example, the support surface124 may be angled to extend toward the base member 106, thereby forminga concave upper surface. According to one embodiment, the transitionmember 112 may include a wide portion 126 located proximate to theincline member 108. The width of the transition member 112 may taperalong the length direction to form a narrow portion 128 located adjacentto the upper portion 130 of the handle member 150. One of ordinary skillin the art will readily appreciate that the transition member 112 may beformed to include any of a plurality of shapes that are capable ofsupporting the mattress in an elevated position while abutting a sidesurface of the mattress.

According to one embodiment, the handle member 150 may be formed toinclude a curvilinear shape. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the handle member 150 may be formed in other shapes. Thehandle member 150 extends from the transition member 112 to the basemember 106, providing an extended gripping area along a perimeter of thehandle member 150. The handle member 150 is coupled to the transitionmember 112 and provides structural support to the transition member 112to limit penetration of the mattress lift apparatus 100 between themattress and the box spring. The handle member 150 is coupled to thebase member 106, forming a closed or continuous loop 140 defined by thebase member 106, the incline member 108, the transition member 112 andthe handle member 150. The continuous loop 140 configuration strengthensthe structural integrity of the mattress lift apparatus 100.

According to one embodiment, the handle member 150 may include fingergrips or protrusions 151 that improve comfort and control. The handlemember 150 may be configured in a curved path to extend upward from thebase member 106 to the transition member 112, as illustrated in FIG. 2.The curvilinear shape of the handle member 150 may increase a length ofthe gripping surface. As a result, users may grip the handle member 150with two hands to provide additional force to insert the mattress liftapparatus 100 between the mattress and box spring. The curvilinear shapeof the handle member 150 also provides a range of comfortable grippingposition that suit different user heights. For example, taller users maygrip the handle member 150 higher on the curved handle member 150 orcloser to the transition member 112. By contrast, shorter users may gripthe handle member 150 lower on the curved handle member 150 or closer tothe base member 106. The handle member 150 is configured to be grippedfrom either side to suit both right hand and left hand users.

The mattress lift apparatus 100 may include an aperture 160 that islocated in an interior region of the device. According to one embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the aperture 160 may be defined by inner surfacesof the base member 106, the incline member 108, the transition member112 and the handle member 150. One of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that the aperture 160 may be defined to include anarea smaller than illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention showingthe aperture 160 defined in an area proximate to the handle member 150.In this embodiment, a rib 302 is positioned in the interior region ofthe mattress lift apparatus 300. The rib 302 may be positioned to couplethe base member 106, the incline member 108 and the transition member112. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that therib 302 may be provided in other configurations to couple inner surfacesdefined by the continuous loop 140. The rib 302 provides increasedstructural support to the mattress lift apparatus 300. Accordingly, thethickness of the material used to form the members, including the basemember 106, the incline member 108 and the transition member 112 may bereduced. Reducing the thickness of the base member 106, the inclinemember 108 and the transition member 112, while maintaining thestructural strength of the mattress lift apparatus provides severaladvantages, including providing material cost saving, among otherbenefits.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention showing theaperture 160 defined in an area proximate to the handle member 150. Areinforcing member 502 is provided to increase the structural strengthof the mattress lift apparatus 400. In this embodiment, the reinforcingmember 502 couples the transition member 112 to the base member 106,forming a closed or continuous loop 540 defined by the base member 106,the incline member 108, the transition member 112 and the reinforcingmember 502. The continuous loop 540 configuration strengthens thestructural integrity of the mattress lift apparatus 500.

The reinforcing member 502 may be positioned to couple other structuralmembers, including coupling the incline member 108 to the base member106, coupling the handle member 150 to the base member 106, amongproviding other coupling configurations. In this case, the continuousloop 540 may be defined by these corresponding members. One of ordinaryskill in the art will readily appreciate that the reinforcing member 502may be formed in any shape. For example, the reinforcing member 502 maybe formed as a straight element to couple the transition member 112 andthe base member 106 (not illustrated).

According to one embodiment, a rib 504 may be used in conjunction withthe reinforcing member 502 to increase structural strength of themattress lift apparatus 500. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, thereinforcing member 502 may be positioned within the interior region ofthe mattress lift apparatus to minimize the size of the aperture 160.The rib 504 may be positioned between the inner surfaces defined by thecontinuous loop 540. As illustrated, the rib 504 may be positioned tocouple the base member 106, the incline member 108, the transitionmember 112 and the reinforcing member 502. One of ordinary skill in theart will readily appreciate that the rib 504 may be provided in otherconfigurations to couple inner surfaces defined by the continuous loop540. Other configurations for the rib 504 are contemplated. Thereinforcing member 502 and the rib 504 provide increased structuralsupport to the mattress lift apparatus 500. Accordingly, the thicknessof the material used to form the members, including the base member 106,the incline member 108 and the transition member 112 may be reduced.Reducing the thickness of the base member 106, the incline member 108and the transition member 112, while maintaining the structural strengthof the mattress lift apparatus provides several advantages, includingproviding material cost saving, among other benefits.

The edges of the mattress lift apparatus may be radiused andsubstantially smooth to avoid snagging or tearing the mattress, theunderlying support structure, and bed linens, among other items. Thebase member 106 and the incline member 108 may be formed having a largerwidth than the handle member 150 to resist tilting, twisting or fallingover when the mattress lift apparatus is inserted between the mattressand the underlying support structure. According to one embodiment, themattress lift apparatus may be at least one inch wide proximate to thenose member 110. The incline member 108 and the base member 106 may forman internal radiused surface 145. When not in use, the aperture 160 maybe used to hang the mattress lift apparatus from a suitable structure,such as a hook or other structure (not shown). For example, mattresslift apparatus may be affixed to a user's belt, on a service cart, or ina storage area, among other suitable locations. Other portions of themattress lift apparatus may be engaged to secure the device while storedor transported.

The mattress lift apparatus may be configured to receive a suitablelogo, company name, or emblem. For example, the logo, company name, oremblem may be molded, stamped, printed, or painted on at least one ofthe rib 302, rib 502, handle member 150, the base member 106, theincline member 108, or other smoothed surface, among other locations.

According to one embodiment, the mattress lift apparatus may beconstructed of any suitable material, including plastic, metal,fiberglass, wood, or other suitable material. According to oneembodiment, the mattress lift apparatus includes no moving parts,thereby simplifying assembly and construction. The mattress liftapparatus may be constructed to be light weight and may be molded orpainted in any desirable color, or combination of colors.

According to one embodiment, the mattress lift apparatus may be molded,blow molded, fabricated, or otherwise formed by any known process orprocedure. When made of plastic, the material may be molded of a plasticmaterial, such as polyethylene, or other suitable plastic material.Manufacturing the mattress lift apparatus using a blow molding processforms a hollow inner core that extends substantially throughout themembers defining the closed or continuous loop structure. The hollowinner core reduces the weight of the mattress lift apparatus, whilesaving material cost.

FIG. 7 illustrates the mattress lift apparatus in an intendedenvironment 700. The mattress lift apparatus may be used to lift aportion of mattress 705 to enable tucking in of bed linens 710 betweenthe mattress 705 and the underlying support structure 715, such as a boxspring or other support structure. The bed linens 710 may include upperand lower sheets and/or blankets. The bed linens 710 may be draped overthe mattress 705 and may be permitted to extend below an interfacedefined between the mattress 705 and box spring 715.

The mattress lift apparatus may be positioned adjacent to the interfacedefined between the mattress 705 and box spring 715. For example, themattress lift apparatus may be positioned at different location aroundthe mattress 705, such as along an edge, at the corners or otherlocations of the mattress. The mattress lift apparatus may include anyof the embodiments disclosed within this specification.

When aligned, the nose member 110 of the mattress lift apparatus may bepositioned for insertion between a bottom surface of the mattress 705and a top surface of the box spring 715. A force may be applied to themattress lift apparatus to cause insertion of the device between abottom surface of the mattress 705 and a top surface of the box spring715. For example, a lateral force may be applied to the handle member150 to cause insertion of the device between a bottom surface of themattress 705 and a top surface of the box spring 715. During insertion,the incline member 108 engages the mattress 705 and the base member 106engages the box spring 715. With continued insertion between themattress 705 and the box spring 715, the mattress lift apparatuselevates a selected portion of the mattress to enable tucking in of bedlinens 710 there-between. The insertion of the mattress lift apparatusmay also cause a portion of one or more bed linens 710 that hang belowthe interface between the mattress 705 and the box spring 715 to betucked between the bed mattress 705 and box spring 715 in the area wherethe device is inserted.

The mattress lift apparatus is configured to abut the mattress 705 whenfully inserted between the mattress 705 and the box spring 715. Forexample, the transition member 112 and/or handle member 150 may beconfigured to abut the mattress 705. At abutment, lateral movement ofthe mattress lift apparatus between the mattress 705 and the box spring715 is stopped. Upon completing the intended task of tucking in the bedlinens, the mattress lift apparatus may be withdrawn and moved to a newlocation between the mattress 705 and the box spring 715. The bed linens710 may remain tucked in between the mattress 705 and the box spring 715after the mattress lift apparatus is removed. It is contemplated thatother tasks may be performed while the mattress lift apparatus ispositioned between the mattress 705 and the box spring 715. As desired,the mattress lift apparatus may be re-inserted between the mattress 705and the box spring 715 at another location. This process may be repeateduntil the bed linens 710 are satisfactorily tucked in all along thesides and end of the mattress 705. According to another embodiment, aplurality of mattress lift apparatuses may be provided to concurrentlylift several portions of the mattress 705.

The mattress lift apparatus serves to support the mattress 705 in araised position, as illustrated in FIG. 7. While the mattress remains inthe elevated position, the mattress lift apparatus may be briefly leftunattended to enable the user to adjust or align the bed linens 710 orperform another action. The mattress lift apparatus is configured toremain in the upright position while unattended. For example, themattress lift apparatus is designed to include a sufficiently widedimension at the nose member 110, the base member 106 and/or the inclinemember 108 to maintain the device in a upright position while supportingthe mattress 705.

It is understood that the above-described arrangements are merelyillustrative of the many possible specific embodiments, which representapplications of the present invention. In addition, unless mention wasmade above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of theaccompanying drawings are not to scale. Significantly, this inventioncan be embodied in other specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential attributes thereof, and accordingly, referenceshould be had to the following claims, rather than to the foregoingspecification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

1. A mattress lift apparatus for separating a mattress and an underlyingsupport structure, the mattress lift apparatus comprising: a bodycomprising: a lift portion extending longitudinally from a distal end toproximal end, the distal end having a first predefined height that isdimensioned to be inserted between the mattress and the underlyingsupport structure and the proximal end having a second predefined heightthat is dimensioned to a desired elevation of the mattress; a bodyinterior region defined within the lift portion; a handle comprising: afirst handle end; and a second handle end located opposite the firsthandle end, the first handle end and the second handle end being fixedlycoupled to the body; an aperture defined by the body, the aperturehaving a perimeter located within the body interior region; and acontinuous loop defined by the perimeter of the aperture and the handle.2. The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bodyfurther comprises: a base member having a first base end and a secondbase end, the first base end being located opposite to the second baseend; an incline member having a first incline end and a second inclineend, the first incline end being located opposite to the second inclineend, the first incline end being mechanically coupled to and forming anacute angle with the first base end; a transition member having a firsttransition end and a second transition end, the first transition endbeing located opposite to the second transition end, the firsttransition end being mechanically coupled to the second incline end. 3.The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the firsthandle end is fixedly coupled to the second transition end and thesecond handle end is fixedly coupled to the second base end and whereinthe continuous loop is defined by the base member, the incline member,the transition member and the handle.
 4. The mattress lift apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising a rounded nose member formedadjacent to the first incline end and the first base end, the roundednose member being dimensioned to insert between the mattress and theunderlying support structure.
 5. The mattress lift apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the rounded nose member includes a width dimensionof at least one inch and wherein a portion of the inclined member andthe base member located adjacent to the rounded nose member include awidth dimension of at least one inch to maintain an upright positionwhile inserted between the mattress and the underlying supportstructure.
 6. The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 2, whereina portion of the handle adjacent to the first handle end is shaped toabut the mattress, thereby limiting penetration of the mattress liftapparatus between the mattress and the underlying support structure. 7.The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transitionmember includes a width that tapers between a width of the secondincline end and a width of the first handle end and wherein thetransition member is oriented relative to the base member to include oneof being substantially parallel to the base member and beingnon-parallel to the base member.
 8. The mattress lift apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one support ribpositioned in the aperture to mechanically couple portions of theperimeter of the continuous loop.
 9. The mattress lift apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing member positionedwithin the aperture to couple selected portions of the body.
 10. Themattress lift apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the incline memberhas a width dimension that narrows between the first incline end and thesecond incline end.
 11. A mattress lift apparatus for separating amattress and an underlying support structure, the mattress liftapparatus comprising: a base member having a first base end and a secondbase end, the first base end being located opposite to the second baseend; an incline member having a first incline end and a second inclineend, the first incline end being located opposite to the second inclineend, the first incline end being mechanically coupled to and forming anacute angle with the first base end; a transition member having a firsttransition end and a second transition end, the first transition endbeing located opposite to the second transition end, the firsttransition end being mechanically coupled to the second incline end; ahandle having a first handle end and a second handle end, the firsthandle end being located opposite the second handle end, the firsthandle end being fixedly coupled to the second transition end and thesecond handle end being fixedly coupled to the second base end; acontinuous loop defined by the base member, the incline member, thetransition member and the handle; an aperture defined within thecontinuous loop; and at least one support rib provided within theaperture to mechanically couple the base member and at least one of theinclined member and the transition member.
 12. The mattress liftapparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a reinforcing memberhaving a first support end and a second support end, the first supportend being opposite the second support end, the first support end beingmechanically coupled to the second transition end and the second supportend being mechanically coupled to the second base end.
 13. The mattresslift apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a rounded nosemember formed adjacent to the first incline end and the first base end,the rounded nose member being dimensioned to insert between the mattressand the underlying support structure.
 14. The mattress lift apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the rounded nose member includes a widthdimension of at least one inch and wherein a portion of the inclinedmember and the base member located adjacent to the rounded nose memberinclude a width dimension of at least one inch to maintain an uprightposition while inserted between the mattress and the underlying supportstructure.
 15. The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the base member, the incline member, the transition member, thehandle and the rounded nose member include rounded edges and smoothedges to prevent damaging the mattress and the underlying supportstructure.
 16. The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 11,wherein a portion of the handle adjacent to the first handle end isshaped to abut the mattress, thereby limiting penetration of themattress lift apparatus between the mattress and the underlying supportstructure.
 17. The mattress lift apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the transition member includes a width that tapers between awidth of the second incline end and a width of the first handle end andwherein the transition member is oriented relative to the base member toinclude one of being substantially parallel to the base member and beingnon-parallel to the base member.
 18. The mattress lift apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the incline member has a width dimensionthat narrows between the first incline end and the second incline end.19. A method for separating a mattress and an underlying supportstructure, the method comprising: aligning a mattress lift apparatusbetween the mattress and the underlying support structure, the mattresslift apparatus comprising: a body having a lift portion extendinglongitudinally from a distal end to proximal end, the distal end havinga first predefined height that is dimensioned to be inserted between themattress and the underlying support structure and the proximal endhaving a second predefined height that is dimensioned to a desiredelevation of the mattress and a body interior region defined within thelift portion; a handle including a first handle end, and a second handleend located opposite the first handle end, the first handle end and thesecond handle end being fixedly coupled to the body member; an aperturedefined by the body, the aperture having a perimeter located within thebody interior region; and a continuous loop defined by the perimeter ofthe aperture and the handle; and applying a force to the handle toinsert the body of the mattress lift apparatus between the mattress andunderlying support structure.
 20. The method according to claim 19,further comprising elevating a selected portion of the mattress toenable inserting bed linens between the mattress and the underlyingsupport structure.